My sister had ‘assisted dying’ – support and care, not killing

One of the problems with ‘assisted dying’ – now under parliamentary discussion in both Ireland and Britain – is the very phrase itself. In truth, a proper opportunity for ‘assisted dying’ can be entirely Christian and supportive. I mean in the sense that a dying person should have someone with them, to calm and care,… […]

Pope rubbishes lay conclave vote rumours in new book

Pope Francis has shot down claims that he is planning giving women and laity a say in the vote to elect a pope. Speaking in his recently released biography Life, the Pope described as “fantasy” reports from “some American media outlets” that he intended to change the rules around the conclave to give nuns and […]

Bethlehem Christians hope for Irish pilgrims’ return after bishop’s plea

Christians in the birthplace of Christ hope for the return of Irish pilgrims after a plea from a Palestinian bishop to support for the local Christian population. Bethlehem Christians are “still in darkness” due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, but they hope to see pilgrims return soon, local guides and shop owners told The Irish […]

Church’s safeguarding ‘greatly improved’ national report finds

The Church in Ireland’s safeguarding culture and structures have “greatly improved” in the past 10 years, according to a report from the national safeguarding body. “A lot of progress has been made, and plans are in place to advance this further,” the overview report from the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church […]

Married priests not answer to vocations crisis, cardinal for clergy says in Knock

EXCLUSIVE True witness to the Faith is the answer to declining vocations in Ireland, not married priests, the Vatican’s cardinal for clergy has insisted during a visit to Knock shrine, Co. Mayo. Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy told The Irish Catholic that there are those who call for an […]

Belgian Bishop Vangheluwe dismissed from the clergy

Brussels (KNA) Roger Vangheluwe, Catholic Bishop of Bruges until 2010, is no longer a priest. Pope Francis has expelled him from the clergy, the papal nunciature in Brussels announced on Thursday. The now 87-year-old resigned as diocesan bishop in April 2010 after it became known that he had sexually abused a nephew for years. Vangheluwe […]

5 Powerful Ways to Meditate on the Passion of Christ

When was the last time you meditated on the sufferings of Christ’s Passion? Saint Alphonsus de Liguori reminds us: “There is no practice more profitable for the entire sanctification of the soul than the frequent meditation of the sufferings of Jesus Christ.” Here are five ways to do it: Caroline Perkins, ChurchPOP The above graphic […]

Traditionis Custodes Comes to England and Wales

Above: Triduum liturgy organised by the Latin Mass Society at St Mary Moorfields in London in 2023. Photo by Joseph Shaw. At the time of the promulgation of Traditionis Custodes in the Summer of 2021, I wrote that the bishops of England and Wales had seemingly decided to “slow walk” the implementation of the motu […]